Sunday Report

Before the Presidency message was given Sister Jana Toomey gave the Visiting Teaching message and encouraged us to serve our sisters successfully by living to be worthy to receive, interpret and act upon the inspiration of the Spirit regarding each sister for whom we have been given stewardship. Then Sister Vach began her lesson by reminding us that we have been taught that the most important prophet, as far as we are concerned, is the one that is living in our day to whom the Lord is currently revealing His will for us. Our canon of scripture includes not only the Bible, the Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants and Pearl of Great Price, but also each conference edition of the Ensign which contains the words of the prophets,seers and revelators for our lives for this very day. Coming soon to a mailbox near you!

She then discussed how, as members of the Church, we have accepted, through our baptismal covenants, the responsibility to minister to our brothers and sisters, both in and outside the gospel, being willing to bear one another's burdens, to comfort those who stand in need of comfort and to stand as a witness of God at all times and in all places. Our responsibility includes nonmembers, new members, less active members and active members.

Pertaining to our stewardship toward those in the world who have not yet heard and accepted the gospel of Jesus Christ, she quoted President Henry B. Erying: "At some moment in the world to come, everyone you will ever meet will know what you know now....They will know that you knew. And they will remember whether you offered them what someone offered you." The thought is a great reminder of the need we have to share the blessings of the gospel with those we come in contact with. That does not mean we are all to be Samuel the Lamanite upon walls of Zarahemla, but we need to find a way of sharing that is comfortable for us and allows us to give those who cross our paths some knowledge of who we are and what we have and that it is available to them, too. We are not ultimately responsible for their decision to accept it or even hear more but we have covenanted to witness of it in our lives. We need to pray for inspiration as to how, when and in what way we do it.

We also have an opportunity to continue to witness of the importance of the gospel by fellowshipping and friendshipping new members who have recently left the world to come unto Christ and join with us in the Church. The transition from their former lives and associations to the commitments and demands of membership in the Church can often be daunting and the need for the love and support and mentoring is every bit as vital to these converts who have accepted the gospel as it was when they were investigating the Church. Let us not forget to nourish those bonds forged in the days of conversion for while building our eternal families we are also building eternal friendships with those choice spirits with whom we associate in the ward. Those born in the Church can not comprehend what it is like to join the Church, for to someone new it is a foreign world with its own culture, traditions and even language and it can be confusing bewildering and frustrating to someone who is trying to fit in. Let us be very aware of those who need our support and love.

We can also be aware of those who are members of the Church, but who, for whatever reason have chosen or fallen into a pattern of inactivity. We are the ones who must reach out in love and friendship and lift them to a higher road and a better way. "May we listen to the unspoken message from their hearts. You will find it to be familiar: "Lead me, guide me, walk beside me, Help me find the way. Teach me all that I must do, To live with him someday."

As to our responsibility to one another as we labor in our daily lives to live the gospel and fulfill our responsibilities to family, callings, employment etc, we all know that being active and faithful does not mean that we never stand in need of spiritual, temporal or emotional support. Life is demanding and surprising and we are not immune to the trials of mortality. But we are blessed to know that a loving Heavenly Father is always there to hear and answer our prayers for help and support. "God does notice us, and He watches over us. But it is usually through another mortal that he meets our needs. Therefore it is is vital that we serve each other."

You are called to represent the Savior. Your voice to testify becomes the same as His voice, your hands to lift the same as His hands...Your calling is to bless lives. That will be true even in the most ordinary tasks you are assigned.

Those words of Spencer W Kimball underscore Sister Vach's message.

Have a great week.

The Relief Society Presidency